Seven-month-iversary Week
Ola gente!
Hello everyone! So, this blog entry will talk about the last two weeks. We had a pretty packed P-day last Wednesday, and we have Zone Conference on the upcoming one, so here’s my spiel for the last week and a half!
So this week took some adjusting to learning what and how to be a Zone Leader here in Mutua! Luckily I have Elder Nogeuira, my new companion. He’s been out for about 16 months, and he’s from the northern part of Brasil. So, new form to speak in Portuguese. I’m in the same house, only now with half and half, so I really haven’t been speaking any English, which is an amazing practice of the Portuguese.
Thursday we had our leadership council for the transfer. We got to go to Rio, and I got be in President’s house for the first time. Holy crap it’s BEAUTIFUL! It’s got such and an amazing view, and air conditioning….. It was a good meeting, but I learned a lot about the importance about action planning. Talking is great and planning is great, but without an action plan, we won’t be able to become the people we want to be, and realize the goals we want to realize.
Saturday we had another baptism! Daniel!! It was awesome! My old comp, Elder Hicken baptized him, and a lot of the ward showed up to help him. It was an awesome decision for him, and he said yesterday that his week has been much better after the baptism. That is the power of the Holy Ghost for you! He’s always there to lift our spirits, and when we receive it, there is true power that comes from it. I always love to see the smile as they are lifted up out of the water. And later on, we had a 8- year old be baptized that we participated in as well. So Super Baptism Saturday!! What a great way to spend our day!
We got to call a less active member this week, and also a couple of referrals, and we talked a lot about prayer. When we asked them to pray, typically they said they didn’t know how. I love how simple prayer is. And how powerful it is when people we teach pray for themselves. It literally requires three things!
Begin in the name of God (Heavenly Father, Dear Father)
Desires, gratitude from the heart
Close in the name of Jesus Christ
Oh but the difference it makes! Saying a prayer before bed, or a prayer of gratitude for the many miracles we have. It all makes a difference!
Speaking of! We have had some crazy great miracles here in this area.
The first was we were walking the streets and we had little success talking to people on the street. Then we pass and ask this guy, and he says he’s in a hurry and walks away. We walk about 10 seconds, until he turns around and asks, “Is it long?” We rushed over and said no, and introduced ourselves, the church, and the BoM. He didn’t end up coming to church, but still, the chance to preach the gospel to him was truly the Holy Spirit nudging him in the right direction to lift up his day with the gospel!
The second has been member referrals! These are the best! On Monday night, we had a family home evening with a family of members and three others. We taught the restoration, and everyone joined in with their testimonies which was super powerful and then we invited them all to be baptized, and they all accepted! So please keep Junior, Rosangela, and Margareth in your prayers!
And the man that we were going to baptize this last Sunday had to move to this Sunday. It’s a long story, but we had a lesson that night at seven, and that morning he was ready to call us and tell us to never come over again, but the spirit worked in his heart, and he is ready to be baptized this Sunday!
The reason last P-day was busy is because we made a trip to Rio! Specifically to Sugarloaf Mountain, or Pao de Acucar! It was so so so beautiful. The hike is basically a giant step master all the way up, so we were all sore, but the views were so worth it. And I found a Brazilian bookstore! I love walking down downtown Rio and seeing all the famous sites. I will admit, I do get trunky passing all the cool theatres. But hopefully I’ll be able to serve there sometime in the future.
In our house we had celebrations of mission-month anniversaries. Elder Serafim celebrated 1 month, Elder Nogeuira 16, and 7 for me!
I have loved seeing the blessings here. I’ve been thinking a lot about how much we should give gratitude, and when we think about it, we actually have a lot a lot of blessings! Take some time to pray today. If you don’t know, hey I just taught you! And give gratitude for the many things we have been given!
I love your support. I hope you all are doing well and feeling the spirit!
Elder Moss
Had to do a double take when I saw the first photo, thought it was Uncle Chris!
ReplyDeleteElder Moss,
ReplyDeleteOne of our missionary prep students, Sister Sarah Waite, from last year has just recently started her mission just south of you, In the Brazil Rio de Janeiro mission. I was hoping she would be in your same mission, but she is close! That's great that you are getting member referrals. They are the best. Keep up the great work. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes,
Aunt Carolyn